The Road Ahead

More and more cities and states are turning to various forms of public-private partnerships to scare up the funding needed for big road projects.

Foley Beach Express

A public-private partnership between Baldwin County, Ala., and Baldwin County Bridge Co. to build, own and operate a 13.5-mile four-lane road and bridge (6 miles privately owned, 7.5 miles public), which opened in June 2000.

Cost:

$44 million, including $7.2 million public segment

Finance:

$36 million private bond issue-taxable toll revenue bonds

Revenue:

$2 bridge toll, and FHWA and city grants

Anton Anderson Memorial Tunnel

Alaska's design-build, operations and maintenance fee service contract with multiple companies to retrofit a 2.6-mile tunnel that connects Porter and Whittier (replacing a 1940s-era track bed with concrete) in the Prince William Sound, which opened in June 2000.

Cost:

$80 million for tunnel conversion and access roads

Finance:

"Pay as you go" from state and federal funds

Revenue:

Tolls of $12 to as much as $300 for the largest trucks

SOURCES: Transportation Department, FHWA